I'm quite confused by the couplers for air hoses, tools and
compressors. The compressor that I am going to buy has a 1/4" outlet.
The hose I bought is a 3/8" and the tools that I bought have a 1/4"
inlet although they recommend a 3/8" hose. What type of connectors do
I need? When I see a 1/4" or a 3/8" coupler does that mean the hose
side, the connector side, or both sides? What size do I need for my
setup? Do I have to buy a special 1/4" to 3/8" adapter?

My other question is about water traps and oilers. I've read that it's
best to place them as close to the tool as possible. However, the ones
that I have seen on HF and NorthernTool look quite large and heavy and
look like they are supposed to attach directly to the air compressor
outlet and not dangle from the end of the tool. Are there lightweight
ones that easily attach to the tool itself? Any recommendations on
where I can find one and a good brand? Thanks,

Brett

Brett wrote: snip-When I see a 1/4" or a 3/8" coupler does that mean
the hose
side, the connector side, or both sides?-snip

Connector side. Try
before you buy.


snip-My other question is about water traps and oilers.
I've read that it's
best to place them as close to the tool as possible.-snip


Right after the compressor tank outlet would be best, IMO. Keep the
water out of your hoses. HTH. Tom

The size indicated typically refers to the threaded pipe size, but in
the cases of hoses it refers to the hose's inside diameter. Most typical
3/8" hose assemblies (from HD, Lowes, etc) will come standard with 1/4"
pipe threads, specialty hose assemblies from major air tools suppliers
and maybe the HD, Lowes will offer a 3/8" hose with 3/8" pipe threads.
And in special case you can fine a 1/4" hose assy w/ 3/8" pipe threads.
The best way to go now days with the high flow rates of air
grinders,sanders is to go with the high flow couplers and 3/8" hose with
high flow 1/4" ends. What I have done is buy standard 3/8" hose w/ 1/4"
ends and drill out the 1/4' fitting to 5/16" or there abouts, . Harbor
Freight is an excellent place for high flow air fittings. I believe HD,
Lowes have a limited selection too.

Seeker wrote:

....
...Harbor Freight is an excellent place for high flow air fittings. I believe HD,
Lowes have a limited selection too.

I've never used HF's fittings so have no idea what they're like or
whether they are consistent. There's a "veritable plethora" of
differing designs which are not all interchangeable, even for the same
nominal size(s). I suggest standardizing on a name manufacturer such as
Milton of a given style so you're not dependent on the "stock of the
day" at the Borg or other vendor...

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 10:02:56 -0500, the opaque Duane Bozarth
clearly wrote:

Seeker wrote:
...Harbor Freight is an excellent place for high flow air fittings. I believe HD,
Lowes have a limited selection too.

I've never used HF's fittings so have no idea what they're like or
whether they are consistent. There's a "veritable plethora" of
differing designs which are not all interchangeable, even for the same
nominal size(s). I suggest standardizing on a name manufacturer such as
Milton of a given style so you're not dependent on the "stock of the
day" at the Borg or other vendor...

Only two styles are common nowadays: automotive and industrial.
I converted all my old M-style (auto) connectors to industrial,
the "new standard" T-style AFAIK. Below are Miltons:

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/mils-777.html M style
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/mils-783.html T style

With a few of HF's fittings, easing the edges can make the difference
between a fighting fit and a good fit. This is one of the areas I wish
I hadn't skimped on my purchase. Live and learn.


--------------------------------------------------------------------
The more we gripe, * http://www.diversify.com/stees.html
the longer God makes us live. * Graphic Design - Humorous T-shirts

Larry Jaques wrote:

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 10:02:56 -0500, the opaque Duane Bozarth
clearly wrote:

Seeker wrote:
...Harbor Freight is an excellent place for high flow air fittings. I believe HD,
Lowes have a limited selection too.

I've never used HF's fittings so have no idea what they're like or
whether they are consistent. There's a "veritable plethora" of
differing designs which are not all interchangeable, even for the same
nominal size(s). I suggest standardizing on a name manufacturer such as
Milton of a given style so you're not dependent on the "stock of the
day" at the Borg or other vendor...

Only two styles are common nowadays: automotive and industrial.
I converted all my old M-style (auto) connectors to industrial,
the "new standard" T-style AFAIK. Below are Miltons:


Hell, there are at least 4 non-interchangeable ones hanging on the wall
at the local farm supply...some I'm sure aren't as common as others, but
I'd be surprised if there aren't still a lot more choices than two...I
know the ones from Lowe's I had aren't interchangeable w/ any of the
Milton's in stock locally...

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 15:57:30 -0500, the opaque Duane Bozarth
clearly wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
Only two styles are common nowadays: automotive and industrial.
I converted all my old M-style (auto) connectors to industrial,
the "new standard" T-style AFAIK. Below are Miltons:


Hell, there are at least 4 non-interchangeable ones hanging on the wall
at the local farm supply...some I'm sure aren't as common as others, but
I'd be surprised if there aren't still a lot more choices than two...I
know the ones from Lowe's I had aren't interchangeable w/ any of the
Milton's in stock locally...

Yes, more types are available, but notice what comes with your air
tools. Nowadays, as far as I've seen, they're all T-style.

There were 6 styles available when I was graduated from auto tech
school in the very early 70s and had to tool-up.


--------------------------------------------------------------------
The more we gripe, * http://www.diversify.com/stees.html
the longer God makes us live. * Graphic Design - Humorous T-shirts

Last time (recently) I bought some of the connectors, there were (3)
types available at the local store. Take a fitting with you, make
sure all your connectors / hookups are the same. Otherwise it's a
real PIA to move things around or reconfigure.... Don't ask me how I
know!


On 27 Jul 2005 07:12:13 -0700, "Brett"
wrote:

I'm quite confused by the couplers for air hoses, tools and
compressors. The compressor that I am going to buy has a 1/4" outlet.
The hose I bought is a 3/8" and the tools that I bought have a 1/4"
inlet although they recommend a 3/8" hose. What type of connectors do
I need? When I see a 1/4" or a 3/8" coupler does that mean the hose
side, the connector side, or both sides? What size do I need for my
setup? Do I have to buy a special 1/4" to 3/8" adapter?

My other question is about water traps and oilers. I've read that it's
best to place them as close to the tool as possible. However, the ones
that I have seen on HF and NorthernTool look quite large and heavy and
look like they are supposed to attach directly to the air compressor
outlet and not dangle from the end of the tool. Are there lightweight
ones that easily attach to the tool itself? Any recommendations on
where I can find one and a good brand? Thanks,

Brett


Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

"Xlat" wrote in message
...

Last time (recently) I bought some of the connectors, there were (3)
types available at the local store. Take a fitting with you, make
sure all your connectors / hookups are the same. Otherwise it's a
real PIA to move things around or reconfigure.... Don't ask me how I
know!


Yup, it's a real PITA when they don't match. Mine are all one type, one SIL
has same type, two other SIL's have longer tips on the male connectors. Made
a short adapter hose with "long tip male & "short tip" female coupler to use
my tools @ their places.

--
Nahmie
The greatest headaches are those we cause ourselves.

Norman D. Crow wrote:
"Xlat" wrote in message
...

Last time (recently) I bought some of the connectors, there were (3)
types available at the local store. Take a fitting with you, make
sure all your connectors / hookups are the same. Otherwise it's a
real PIA to move things around or reconfigure.... Don't ask me how I
know!


Yup, it's a real PITA when they don't match. Mine are all one type, one SIL
has same type, two other SIL's have longer tips on the male connectors. Made
a short adapter hose with "long tip male & "short tip" female coupler to use
my tools @ their places.

all of mine are one type, but every once in a while I run into a
contractor or somebody like that who has a different system. I have a
handfull of odds and ends fittings around for making adaptors. if I run
into a system I don't have one for, I go buy it. haven't had to buy one
for a while now.

Larry Jaques wrote:

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 15:57:30 -0500, the opaque Duane Bozarth
clearly wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
Only two styles are common nowadays: automotive and industrial.
I converted all my old M-style (auto) connectors to industrial,
the "new standard" T-style AFAIK. Below are Miltons:


Hell, there are at least 4 non-interchangeable ones hanging on the wall
at the local farm supply...some I'm sure aren't as common as others, but
I'd be surprised if there aren't still a lot more choices than two...I
know the ones from Lowe's I had aren't interchangeable w/ any of the
Milton's in stock locally...

Yes, more types are available, but notice what comes with your air
tools. Nowadays, as far as I've seen, they're all T-style.

No tool I've bought recently actually came w/ a connector for (I
presume) the reason they have no clue as to what type the end-user is
using...

There were 6 styles available when I was graduated from auto tech
school in the very early 70s and had to tool-up.

All I know is that the local farm supply is stocking M, S, T and another
(A, maybe?) I don't recall offhand...that mayhaps be for folks already
committed to one style like me that aren't going to willing change--just
like I'm not going to change the hydraulic couplings on the tractor or
all the equipment to ISO from the "old" JD design...

On 27 Jul 2005 07:12:13 -0700, "Brett"
wrote:

I'm quite confused by the couplers for air hoses, tools and
compressors. The compressor that I am going to buy has a 1/4" outlet.
The hose I bought is a 3/8" and the tools that I bought have a 1/4"
inlet although they recommend a 3/8" hose. What type of connectors do
I need? When I see a 1/4" or a 3/8" coupler does that mean the hose
side, the connector side, or both sides? What size do I need for my
setup? Do I have to buy a special 1/4" to 3/8" adapter?

My other question is about water traps and oilers. I've read that it's
best to place them as close to the tool as possible. However, the ones
that I have seen on HF and NorthernTool look quite large and heavy and
look like they are supposed to attach directly to the air compressor
outlet and not dangle from the end of the tool. Are there lightweight
ones that easily attach to the tool itself? Any recommendations on
where I can find one and a good brand? Thanks,
The most common and best choice is 1/4" Industrial. Most of
these will interchange with each other. The best coupler I ever found
was Cejn. I used to own a tool repair shop and my mechanic coupled and
uncoupled hoses constantly while repairing and testing tools. They
were always being dropped or slammed into the bench yet they would
last for years. They are also push to connect which is real handy when
connecting tools - it's a real PITA to have to slide the collar back
to connect a tool.
As to filters and lubricators - most are located near the
outlet of the compressor but if you have a fairly long run and
multiple drops it is best to locate them at each drop. Another way to
help eliminate water is to have an uphill run with a trap at the
bottom to drain condensed water. It also helps to blow down the
compressor tank frequently. We ran a copper tube from the tank drain
to the outside of the building with a ball valve. It was easy to open
the ball valve and blow all of the water from the tank. Good luck.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 11:48:49 -0500, the opaque Duane Bozarth
clearly wrote:

No tool I've bought recently actually came w/ a connector for (I
presume) the reason they have no clue as to what type the end-user is
using...

I guess I've been shopping at HF too long. LOL.


There were 6 styles available when I was graduated from auto tech
school in the very early 70s and had to tool-up.

All I know is that the local farm supply is stocking M, S, T and another
(A, maybe?) I don't recall offhand...that mayhaps be for folks already
committed to one style like me that aren't going to willing change--just
like I'm not going to change the hydraulic couplings on the tractor or
all the equipment to ISO from the "old" JD design...

I got tired of having 2 types and did convert my air tools and little
backup compressor, a Rand 3/4 horse. Yeah, I doubt anyone would
convert all their hydraulic couplings. Too messy and costly, and with
little need.


--

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things
over and over and over again for the truth to sink in,
to kind of catapult the propaganda."

G.W. Bush
Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005